By Staff Writer
Police widened their investigations of the unsolved Vaitele hit and run road accident with the help of Chinese forensic experts in an on-the- crime- scene visit.
A university student died when struck done by a yet to be identified car and driver recently in the police continuing investigations.
Deputy Commissioner Papali’i Monalisa Tia’i-Keti confirmed the work by the forensic experts to re-construct how the accident happened to assist with the police investigations,
“ Yes, the scene reconstruction of the hit and run case was for the pathologists to provide an opinion to assist with ongoing police investigations,” Papali’i was only able to disclose without going into findings.
The road fatality attracted more public attention when two elected Members of Parliament were implicated by unfounded social media allegations.
The allegations are largely dispelled as smear tactics by supporters of the two political parties locked in a standoff that has left any forward movements by the country in a standstill.
Deputy Commissioner Papali’i assured that the allegations have also been covered by the police in their on going investigations.
“ Hit and run investigation is continuing and information pertaining to certain parliamentarians have been looked into already.
“Any member of the public who may have any information that may lead to the identification of driver or vehicle to please contact our traffic unit on 26712.”
The Chinese forensic experts who worked with the police investigators at the crime scene have already returned home to China.
The 8-forensic pathologists were flown in directly from China in response to a call for help from Samoa to determine the causes of death of a backlog of victims of suspected crimes kept at the TTM Hospital Mortuary.
Police criminal investigations were delayed for more than a year in some cases without a forensic pathologist to determine the cause of death required by the court.
The Chinese team of pathologists started off with the 13 bodies held in the mortuary with 3 more added while they were here that needed ‘coronial enquiries.’
“ Pathologist reports have been referred to the by the forensic experts to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecutorial preparations.”
All expenses for flying in the Chinese team of forensic pathologists including equipment for use in their work were added up to $500,000 Tala paid for under assistance from China.
Families of the deceased victims were finally able to take the bodies of their loved ones home for final resting once the examinations were completed and the cause of death finalised.
The Attorney General’s Office is responsible for scheduling the hearing of criminal charges in court to bring final closure to the families and everyone else involved in the long delayed matters.
